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GEOG 441/541: Political Geography Instructor: Alexander B. Murphy Winter 2008 Tuesdays and Thursdays, Pacific 16 |
Instructor: Alexander B. Murphy, 173 Condon Hall, abmurphy@uoregon.edu
Office hours: Mondays, 1:30-3:30 or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Corey Johnson, 208 Condon Hall, x6-4970, cjohns11@uoregon.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays, 11:00 – 12:00 or by appointment
This course examines political patterns and processes from a geographical perspective. We look at the political organization of territory in different parts of the world and examine the spatial relationships between political patterns and a variety of related phenomena, including resources, militarization, ethnicity, economic development, and policy making.
For undergraduates the requirements of the course are a map exercise (15% of the grade), a two-page book review of a novel by George Orwell (15% of the grade), two midterm exams (each worth 20% of the grade), and a five-page paper on a territorial conflict between nations or states (30% of the grade). For graduate students the requirements are participation in a few extra discussion sections (10% of the grade), two midterm exams (each worth 20% of the grade) and a substantial term paper (50% of the grade). Regular class attendance is expected, and the readings listed below should be completed before the lectures to which they are assigned. Please note that assignments must be turned in on time. Since you have ample warning of due dates, no extensions will be granted unless the circumstances are exceptional.
Many of the readings for the course are in article form. In addition we will all read J. Agnew, Making Political Geography (London: Arnold, 2002) [hereinafter Agnew], and undergraduates will be reading G. Orwell, Burmese Days (New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1974).
Everyone should respect the class as a place for learning, both for us individually and for everyone else. Personal computers may be used during lecture and discussion for note taking. Internet usage in class is distracting to other students and should be avoided. Showing respect for your peers is absolutely essential to a good group learning process. This includes tolerance of differing opinions, using your listening skills (in addition to your talking skills), and refraining from personal attacks. Violations of academic integrity, such as plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated (see http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/ and http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/programs/student_judi_affairs/)). Suspected violations will be reported to the Director of Student Judicial Affairs. If that office finds the student to be guilty of a violation, it may result in a grade of F for the course.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND REQUIRED READINGS:
January 8
Introduction to the subject matter of the course
Geographical perspectives on politics and political arrangements
Pre-modern forms of political/territorial organization
Reading: Agnew, Chapter 1
Map exercise handed out on January 8
January 10 and 16
Foundations of the modern state system
The rise of the modern state and associated territorial ideas
(the concepts of sovereignty and the nation-state)
Reading: Chapter 2 in Jones et al. (on Blackboard)
Chapter by Murphy, 1996 (on Blackboard)
January 18 and 22
The diffusion of the nation-state idea
Imperialism and colonialism
Reading: Orwell, Burmese Days (entire book)
*Map exercises due January 22
January 24 and 29
Geographical approaches to the study of the state
The importance of territory, resources, and internal spatial structure
Reading: Agnew, chapter 2
Additional reading
January 31, Feb. 5 and Feb. 7 (first 30 minutes)
Political territory, ethnicity, and nationalism
Case Study: Belgium
Reading: Article by Mikesell and Murphy, 1991
Article by Murphy, 1993
*Orwell Review due Feb. 5
Feb. 7 - FIRST MIDTERM EXAM (last 50 minutes of class)
February 12 and 14
Geopolitics
The nature and significance of international boundaries
International territorial conflicts
Reading: Agnew, chapters 3-4
Short paper assignment handed out on Feb. 12
February 19
Ideological bases for the territorial extent of states
Globalization and its impact on the state as a territorial entity
Reading: Chapter by Murphy, 2004 (on Blackboard)
February 21
Suprastate patterns of political organization and influence
The role of international organizations
Reading: Chapter by Marie Price, 1999 (on Blackboard)
February 26
The political geography of localities
Reading: Agnew, pp. 137-157 of Chapter 5
February 28
Citizenship and policy making
Environmental issues and concerns
Readings: Agnew, pp. 157-164 of Chapter 5
Article by Murphy and Hommel, in press (on Blackboard)
March 4
Contemporary Europe in political geographic perspective
Reading: Article by Murphy, in press (on Blackboard)
March 6
Contemporary Russia in political geographic perspective
Guest lecture: Matthew Derrick (Geography GTF)
Reading: Article by Dimitri Trenin, 2006 (on Blackboard)
*Short paper due March 6, 2:00 pm
March 11
The contemporary Middle East in political geographic perspective
Reading: Article and two op-ed pieces by Murphy, 2002-2006 (on Blackboard)
March 13 (first 30 minutes)
Whither political geography
Reading: Agnew, Chapter 6
Mar. 13 SECOND MIDTERM EXAM (50 minutes)